Engineering Arts

Wow. I guess this is my busy time of year. A month can fly by as if it didn't even happen. Last night we held the first ever engineering arts program at ICC. We believe that if we want creative engineers, they have to take part in creative pursuits throughout their education. Last night over 40 students danced, performed music, performed as storytellers, displayed sculpture and displayed photos. It was a great night.

Happy Easter

What a beautiful day -- spiritually, emotionally, and meteorologically! I am prepping myself for the upcoming Easter egg hunt. I am the grand champion of the world... not finding eggs, but rather hiding them. Each year I hide them so well that not only can't the kids find all the eggs, but neither can I!

Lots to report since my last post. Best news first - I got an iPhone! It is absolutely amazing what this thing can do. Among other things, I can listen live to every MLB baseball game of the entire season.

Secondly, the Iron Range Engineering program has been funded. Here are two articles that were published this week:

Duluth News Tribune: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/117230/

Minnesota Business North: http://www.businessnorth.com/onthemove.asp?RID=2950

There is a lot of work to be done between now and when we begin delivering curriculum next January, but this is the most exciting kind of work you could ever imagine.

I better go get my boots on for the big egg hunt...

Maple Syrup Season Arrives

The best part about living in Minnesota is the constantly changing seasons. My seasons go like this starting on Jan 1 with some over lap of course:

Snowshoe season
Maple Syrup
Walking with Angie
HC Baseball
Kayaking
Quetico
Summer at Grandma Molly's
HC Friday night football
Autumn in Warba
DEER SEASON

They are all outside and all a lot of fun. One of my favorites is being at Aaron's in the spring for collecting sap and boiling syrup. The air outside is organic and moist, the temps are cool and refreshing. Hopefully this week I'll make my first trip over there.

Iron Range Engineering Program Given Green Light

Distinguishing Characteristics of the New Engineering Program

Educating Engineers: Designing for the Future of the Field, together with other recent research and reports on engineering education, make a compelling case for envisioning engineering education in a new way. The new Iron Range engineering program will explore a completely different way of approaching engineering education. Some of the characteristics of this new approach are:

·Primary emphasis is on development of learning outcomes that have been spelled out in national reports, including The Engineer of 2020. This emphasis is contrasted with primary emphasis on coverage of topical material that characterizes many of the engineering programs throughout the world.

·Faculty members in the new program will invest heavily in developing abilities of students in the program to assess their development with respect to these outcomes. To support self assessment faculty members must be able to articulate criteria with which development with respect to these outcomes can be evaluated.

·All learning activities will be organized around externally-sponsored projects. Each semester, students will be working on several externally-sponsored projects concurrently. Faculty members will use the projects as contexts for developing competencies and learning subject matter. Students will be enrolled in courses primarily to address the logistical requirements of university procedures, but there will not be courses following patterns that are used throughout the world.

·Students complete course and graduation requirements by exceeding or meeting levels of competencies with respect to clearly articulated outcomes.

·Initially, the program will be an upper division program. Students will be recruited from community colleges where they will have fulfilled their lower division requirements. A four-year program is envisioned in 6-8 years.

Where did February Go?

Eeks. Guess it's been a few weeks. This seems to be the longest, yet busiest time of year. Long, in that the cold weather is just getting a little old and busy in that there seems to be lots and lots going on.

Last Thursday we hosted our annual JETS test at ICC. JETS is the Junior Engineering Technical Society and they sponsor a national engineering test competition for high school students. We had 170+ students from GR, NK, DR, HC, Hibbing, and Mesabi East. They took a 90 minute multiple choice test on the engineering of amusement parks in the morning, then did the West Point Bridge design contest at lunch, followed by an open format 90 minute test in the afternoon (think PE afternoon test - it is just like it!). I was proud that my boy and his team-mates from Hill City took home a first place trophy.

Last Saturday I was fortunate enough to attend Todd B's wedding in Chisholm. It was a great event and kind of like old home week. There are five members of the family that I taught and there were 9 more alum in attendance. To top it off I was able to bring Baby E to show off!

Most of my work time this past two weeks has been spent gaining industry support for the engineering academy. The support has been overwhelming. There could be an approval this coming week for funding for a 3 year startup!! Stay tuned.....

Educating Engineers: Designing for the Future of the Field

Here is an exerpt from a recently published book that I have been reading.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching: Preparation for the Professions

Sherri D Sheppard
Kelly Macatangay
Anne Colby
William M. Sullivan

Copyright 2009

Conclusion of the Introduction Page xxiv

"Ultimately, however, our goal is more ambitious than prompting reflection or incremental improvement. Our goal is action, for we believe that incremental improvement will lead only to a more optimized linear model of education that will, if not at the moment of its redesign, quickly thereafter become "overstuffed". To accomplish this task, we need to undertake what Vincenti (1990) termed "radical" design and develop a new approach to undergraduate engineering education, the core of which is professional engineering practice, not historical tradition. Both the learning sciences and our sister profession, medicine, offer much to draw from.

The redesign, as one of its requirements, should have continuous revitalization and rejuvenation. Thus, through this book, we extend a challenge to the engineering community: Reflect, assess, debate, design, and prototype a truly networked engineering education, one that engages both student and teacher in learning in context. Engage as colleagues and make redesign of engineering education a national undertaking for the next five years. Redesign engineering education to prepare the new-century engineers that today's problems demand."

Hmmm.... prototype. I have an idea for such a prototype.....

Made it to 43

You may recall my plan to do at least 43 days of cardio for each of the first 43 days of the year. Well, last Thursday was the 43rd day. I made it... mostly, there were a couple of times (2 or 3) where I had to borrow minutes forward or back a day and there were lots of days where the snowshoeing or skiing lasted up to two hours. I feel good. They say it takes 6 weeks to establish a habit. At this moment I am on the treadmill heading to 43 minutes again. This much cardio should be a daily habit for life. That's my goal.

Happy Valentine's Day

It seems February should be a "down" time of year. After the holidays, before the spring thaw. But it just isn't so. Lots and lots of things going on.

February is a long month for basketball coaches and players. Tempers tend to run short, the season tends to be drawn out, and players/parents/coaches tend to lose their cool. I counted, and this is my 31st basketball season! YOW - must be getting old. Anyhow, we are fortunately surviving this February. Our team is won 8 of last 10. Winning cures many ills.

The ICC Engineering students are rolling along on a high note. There are a lot of interesting activities going on. Today the crew cancelled classes and headed to Giants Ridge for skiing. Bart and I went to Effie to look at a 40 acre plot we would like to acquire for engineering student camping. Next week we have some more engineering mentors coming up from the Twin Cities to share their careers with us. And next week we have our annual etiquette dinner.

My life has been kept quite busy with the potential emergence of the Iron Range Engineering Academy. There is a real chance that the 3rd and 4th year of engineering could be taught in a most transformational way this coming fall... Stay tuned.

Most importantly, my new little buddy, Ethan is coming to visit on Saturday. Talk about a Valentine's present!!

TBL: I hope you are maintaining a good equilibrium through your February.

25 Random Things About Me

I just did this thing that has been going around facebook called 25 Random Things About Me. Here was my list:

1. I am writing this list while walking on a treadmill.
2. My favorite beer is Lienenkugel's "Fireside Nut Brown"
3. I have my own blog... and some people actually read it.
4. I believe IT Services provide less and less service every day.
5. In 22 years on Navy duty I spent fewer than 10 days at sea.
6. I love mushrooms.
7. I read more hours in a year than my wife, though she reads over 100 books per year, and I read only 50.
8.Despite being a college teacher, I believe more than 90% of all time spent in college classes is a colossal waste of time.
9. I once bench pressed 297.5 pounds.
10. Despite this amazing upperbody strength, my wife and son can both out kayak me.
11. I have played basketball 2-5 times per week every week for the past 14 years.
12. Since writing the word colossal in number 8, its spelling has bothered me, so I went to Word to do a spell check.
13. My grandson's birth weight was twice what mine was.
14. In college I refused to take any class before 9 AM.
15. Right now I am teaching a 7 AM class... and love it.
16. The person in this world who I respect the most isn't even yet 18 years old.
17. I would consider being a vegetarian.
18. My favorite time of year is deer season.
19. .... and maple syrup season.
20. If I had my way, after death I would be cremated and have my ashes spread at five diffrerent locations.
21. My son-in-law is smarter than I am... by a lot.
22. So is my father-in-law...but I wouldn't tell him that.
23. My ideal winter day is: sleep in, make a big breakfast for Ronnie and Katy, lay on the couch and read, go snowshoeing with my dogs, eat Sammy's pizza for supper, drink a beer, and watch NCIS with Angie.
24. I think texting is the best way to keep touch with my students.
25. Typing this list on the treadmill took 33 minutes and 49 seconds.

TBL - It made the 43 minute walk go a lot faster.

How Easy it is to Succeed

Success in any task can sometimes be quite easy. I recall a few years ago being a reader in Washington DC for a grant project. We would read each 15 page grant and then grade them against a scoring guide. It was absolutely amazing how few of the grant applications actually followed the guidelines for what was supposed to be included. Those that simply followed the guidelines always scored right at the top.

I am teaching thermodynamics each day at 7 AM (yes that does say seven in the morning). Out of the first 12 days, the homework for four of the nights has been to create a document that "completely describes a Rankine cycle". After few days of doing this, the students created a scoring table listing the 11 categories that should be included and what would need to be included to earn a score of 2 or 4 or 6 or 8 or 10 in that category. I adjusted the table a little bit and handed it out. This document could be called the "guideline for what I need to do to get an A". On last Friday I said "next week I will collect your Rankine papers and I will score them against the scoring guide". And so I did. The average score was in the 50's out of 110. It was absolutely amazing how many people completely skipped many of the categories and did poorly on the others.

Well maybe not so totally amazing, my students exhibited the same characteristics as the university professors who submitted those grants.

All but two of the students that is. Two of them turned in documents which, AMAZINGLY, simply followed the guidelines.

TBL - The road to success in preparing written work like proposals, grants, etc. can be as simple as closely following the published guidelines.

Down the Road A Piece, with Cec

I just finished a book lent to me by one of my students. Turns out it is written by his grandpa Cecil Femling. Cecil is in his late 80's. The book is a selection monthly columns that Cecil has written for the Lake Region Electric Coop (west central Minnesota) newsletter.

The book is a nice combination of history of Minnesota and reflections by a person who has lived since the 1920's. I am not suggesting you read it, rather I want to focus in on one idea that caught my eye.

Cec, in one of his columns, wrote that a key to a good life is one hour of exercise EVERY day.

I couldn't agree more as I am writing this post while walking on my treadmill --Day 27 of at least 43 minutes per day of cardio.

A One Page (DRAFT) Description of 3rd/4th Year Engineering

Proposed Iron Range Engineering Academy

In fall 2010 (or 2009), a collaboration of faculty from the Northeastern Higher Education District (NHED) and Minnesota State University Mankato (MSUM) will start a unique project-based curriculum through which graduates of Minnesota community colleges will earn a mechanical engineering degree two years after the program begins. These students will work on projects sponsored by external organizations (industry and not-for-profit) to develop their knowledge and skills with respect to the program learning outcomes specified by ABET, the organization that accredits engineering programs. Supervised by engineering faculty members, student teams will organize their learning and development around concurrent projects so that the Minnesota infrastructure becomes their classroom. Initially, the scenario-based program will be offered to 25 engineering students. Over time, the program will grow to 100 students (25 in each cohort).

National reports have called for significant changes to engineering programs so that engineering graduates in 2020 will be significantly more prepared to address the socio-technical challenges in the future. The proposed academy will implement many of the recommendations in these national reports. Many companies have demonstrated interest in new approaches to engineering education, and their active participation will be key to the success of the academy. It also builds on the innovations in the two-year curriculum at Itasca Community College as well as other innovations throughout the country. This academy is an initial implementation of creative, dynamic, flexible, industry-responsive academic programs envisioned by Dr. Linda Baer, MNSCU Senior Vice Chancellor of Student and Academic Affairs.

There are five keys to the program

· Consistent emphasis on learning and development with respect to the program learning outcomes

· Ongoing assessment that provides data to students, faculty, administrators, and external stakeholders (e.g., employers, national engineering organizations) about the development of the students with respect to these program learning outcomes

· Development of the learning outcomes in the context of externally sponsored projects so that students connect their learning to applications

· Emphasis by faculty members on reflection and self-assessment so that students develop their abilities to evaluate and improve on their learning.

· Students are organized in living, learning communities that have been shown by multiple institutions, including Itasca Community College, to promote learning and development.

With the input from experts on engineering education from across the world and aggressive professional development programs for the participating faculty, the program will apply the latest research on how people learn, e.g., guided, inquiry-based learning; systematic formative feedback, and learning in groups and communities.

ABET Program Learning Outcomes (supported by industry and academia)

Outcome a: "an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering"

· Outcome b: "an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data"

· Outcome c: "an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability"

· Outcome d: "an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams"

· Outcome e: "an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems"

· Outcome f: "an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility"

· Outcome g: "an ability to communicate effectively"

· Outcome h: "the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context"

·Outcome i: "a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning"

· Outcome j: "a knowledge of contemporary issues"

· Outcome k: "an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice"

That Middle Ground

I had the opportunity to have a meeting with a former grad today. He is one year out of college and came to ICC with three senior people from his firm. They met with a group of us on the faculty to propose a joint venture. The meeting lasted well over an hour and then we all went to lunch. As a new engineer in a real business environment it is hard to know where to interject into a group meeting. Some young engineers lack confidence and stay too far in the background or have to be drawn in. Some young engineers are overconfident and dominate. What absolutely impressed me today is how this ICC grad played right down the middle. He confidently stated his views, asked his questions, and then listened to what everyone else had to say.

TBL: Be conscientious in group meetings. Know your appropriate place and participate to that level.

Ethan Came Home Today

Yay!

After a nearly two week ordeal our little guy is home to begin eating and growing like a normal baby should. We couldn't be more thrilled.

On the Grand Rapids front, it is FREAKING COLD! Today being the 13th, I pulled my 13th day in a row of 43 minutes or more of cardio when Bart and I went for 1 hour+ snowshoe in our frigid climate. It was beautiful scenery.

ICC classes started up yesterday and here is a new one. Thermo is at 7 AM. It turns out this engineering subject is so exciting that even 29 college students will get up that early to learn it. Quote of the day as class was wrapping up and I was writing the hwk assignment on the board a student says "hey it's starting to get light out".

Engineering Academy update: The snowball of excitement is starting to roll down hill. We have a 4 year university chomping at the bit to be our partner in this new pedagogy. Lots to be done, but the time is ripe to try a new model for learning and we may be the one's to try it.

Daughter Liz started her first semester at Mankato State yesterday. She has her own apartment, is meeting new friends, and is excited to dance in a new program. I'm excited that she has to walk through the engineering building on the way to other classes. I told her the nerdy looking guys will make the most money!

Congrats to all of the college seniors who have recently passed the FE. Thanks for sharing your good news. Start your job searches yesterday. This will probably be the toughest year in all that I've been in this business.

And Then an Upturn

After nearly of week of living on pins and needles and wondering what the next hour would bring, it appears as though our crisis may be nearing an end. The clot in Ethan's aorta has responded to the drug TPA and is completely gone. He is off of his breathing tube and will soon be transferred to recovery where, over a few days or as long as it takes, he will be weaned off of his medicine and sent home.

My life lesson in this has been the power of prayer and people. Hundreds of friends, relatives, and their friends and relatives brought our family into their hearts and prayers. This power of humankind is overwhelming.

Thank you.

Grandparenthood Takes a Down Turn

As some of you may know and others are probably just learning, my grandson Ethan is hospitalized in a pediatric intensive care unit with a blood clot in his aorta.

Ethan was born on December 21st and was a happy healthy big boy (9lbs 15 oz). We enjoyed one week of cuddling and snuggling before coming back to GR on December 28th. On December 31st Ethan was dehydrated and having circulation issues. He was admitted to the Oklahoma University Medical Center for Children on January 1st and has been there ever since.

The clot has caused significant issues as you can imagine, though Ethan has responded well to all medications and he is staying strong. The issue is simply that there is a clot blocking 90% of flow in the 1 cm diameter aorta and the clot is one inch long. The plan has been to administer clot reducing drugs. If that doesn't work, a heart surgery will be performed to remove it.

Angie is in Oklahoma, she flew down on January 1st and will be there through at least this Saturday. Colin's parent are also there (Dad is a pastor - he has already baptized Ethan and Mom is a cardiac physiologist professor).

It is very hard to have something like this happen to someone so young and so special to my heart, but the pain compounds as I watch my daughter and son-in-law have to struggle through the scariest of experiences as young parents.

43 Minutes for 43 Days

Well, here we are into a new year. Happy New Year by the way. Every year as I turn the corner in January I try to set a reachable goal. A few years ago when I was 39, my goal was to run at least 3 miles per day for 39 days. I met the goal and it got me off to a good year of running.

Because of a foot injury, running hasn't been a part of my regular cardio plan, but things like walking, snowshoeing, skiing, exercise biking, and some basketball are. So this year, my 43rd year of life, I am doing at least 43 minutes of cardio every day for the first 43 days of the year. On day 5, so far so good.